Catena malbec &#39;Clone 15&#39;

ABSTRACT

A distinct Malbec grape variety from Mendoza Argentina, herewith denominated ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ which shows a unique vineyard and winemaking profile from the rest of the Malbec grapevine population in Mendoza, Argentina. This Malbec grape variety is characterized by its medium cluster size and very low cluster weight; loose cluster form; very small berry size and weight; very low vigor; extremely low level of millendrage (shot berries); medium to low level of polyphenols and tannins; very high level of color intensity and flavor complexity.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Vitis vinifera L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Once known as a variety of Bordeaux, the Malbec grape is now being cultivated in South America, including Argentina. Malbec grapes produce outstanding red wines with characteristics that generally fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Historically, Argentine vintners did not engage in selecting grape varieties. A less than rigorous attention to grape variety selection meant that Malbec vineyards in Mendoza consisted of populations of a highly heterogeneous, haphazard mix of grape varieties throughout the vineyard. There is a need for distinct Malbec grape varieties with improved quality based characteristics such as low yield, plant balance, and fruit concentration.

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with the Horticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England (R.H.S. Colour Chart).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a newly selected and distinct Malbec grape variety of the Malbec grapevine, Vitis vinifera L., which will hereinafter be denominated as the ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’. It is an exact genetic clone of its mother plant. The mother plant, however, is different from the other Malbec varieties in at least, but not limited to, the attributes as specified in detail below. ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ has medium cluster size and very low cluster weight; loose cluster form; very small berry size and weight; very low vigor; extremely low level of millendrage (shot berries); medium to low level of polyphenols and tannins; very high level of color intensity and flavor complexity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Total millendrage of the diverse Malbec grapevine plant population and of selected varieties (Clones 13 to 17).

FIG. 2: Total polyphenols of the diverse Malbec grapevine plant population and of selected varieties (Clones 13 to 17).

FIG. 3: Total tannins of the diverse Malbec grapevine plant population and of selected varieties (Clones 13 to 17).

FIG. 4: Aroma and flavour profile of the diverse Malbec grapevine plant population and of selected varieties (Clones 13 to 17).

FIG. 5: Photograph showing the grape variety ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Malbec grape variety ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ of the present invention originated from a very demanding selection process originating from a mother grape variety that was selected in 1992 from a diverse Malbec grapevine population and which has been asexually reproduced by self rooted cuttings. That mother grape variety was an unknown naturally occurring mutation of Malbec vines showing desirable characteristics as detailed below. The selection process began in 1992 and was carried out in Mendoza, Argentina.

The process began with a selection of genetically diverse parent plants of the Malbec grapevine plant population with unknown natural mutations. The selections were then asexually reproduced by self rooted cuttings. During three growing seasons, all selected plants were systematically observed in a vineyard in the Lunlunta district of the Maipu region of Mendoza, Argentina.

The goal was to identify a wide base of genetic profiles. The first criteria were to select those Malbec vines which showed overall good health and good fruit set. The next criterion was diversity, identifying those plants with varying levels of vigor; different dates of budbreak and harvest; and varying sizes of clusters and berries. Malbec grape varieties fitting these criteria were marked for further study.

This preliminary selection process resulted in the identification of 108 different Malbec grape varieties from the vineyard, located in the Lunlunta district of the Maipu region of Mendoza, Argentina.

All of the selected 108 varieties were then subjected to an ELISA test to detect for Arabis mosaic virus, Grapevine fleck virus, Grapevine fanleaf virus, Grapevine leafroll associated virus Types 1, 2, 3, and Tomato ringspot virus. Each grape variety was then multiplied from bi-nodal pruned budwood using micro-propagation techniques. This method ensured the overall good health of the multiplied plants.

A total of 51 to 55 micro-propagated plants from each grape variety successfully passed through the process of propagation and rustication, and having achieved the dimensions necessary to survive in the field, were planted in 1994 in a vineyard, located in the Agrelo district of the Luj an de Cuyo region of Mendoza, Argentina. The Malbec grape varieties were planted at a density of two meters between rows and 1.25 meters between plants and trained to a vertical shoot positioned trellis. All plants were pruned to a double Guyot system of loading canes with an average of 9 to 12 buds per cane.

The objective of the Malbec grapevine selection originating from a genetically diverse population with unknown naturally occurring mutations was to identify those grape varieties which possessed both vineyard performance and wine quality characteristics which were above the level achieved for the general population of Malbec grapevines.

The vineyard performance criteria included overall grapevine development, shoot growth rate, plantation failures, dates of budbreak, veraison and harvest, compactness, size, number of clusters, size, number, and millendrage level of berries, susceptibility to mildew, as well as brix, pH, acidity and anthocyanin levels. Given that the end goal of this selection process was to improve the overall quality of Malbec wine produced, certain elements of the above criteria were given more weight than others:

Color: Plants with overall high anthocyanin counts were given additional weight in the selection. Low anthocyanin count resulted in elimination from the selection.

Brix, Acidity and pH Levels: Proper development of these elements throughout the growing season as well as balance at the moment of harvest were important criteria for selection.

Berry size: The selection process sought to identify Malbec grape varieties with a high ratio of skin to juice, generally seeking smaller berries.

Millendrage: Malbec grape varieties were chosen for low levels of millendrage and shot berries, seeking even fruit set.

In 1997 fifteen grape varieties were selected with optimal vineyard performance (low yields, small clusters, small berries, high polyphenols and low millendrage) and varying yet complimentary flavor profiles. These fifteen varieties were vinified separately and characteristics (aroma, concentration, natural acidity, ripening time, typicity, astringency, flavor sensation) were compared.

In 1998 the five best grape varieties were selected using the joint vineyard and wine criteria described above. These were also sent to the University of Adelaide for virus testing, which turned out negative for all tested samples.

In 1999 the original 108 selected different Malbec grape varieties, including the five best varieties from 1998, were planted at 5,000 feet above sea level in the Gualtallary district of the Tupungato region in Mendoza, Argentina.

In 2002 using the same selection process as originally implemented, grape varieties ‘Catena Malbec Clone 13’ and ‘Catena Malbec Clone 17’ were selected as optimum for this vineyard site and planted in an experimental 3 hectare block.

In 2003 the five selected grape varieties were planted at 3,870 feet above sea level in the Altamira district of the San Carlos region in Mendoza.

In 2007 the selected five grape varieties, ‘Catena Malbec Clone 13’ to ‘Catena Malbec Clone 17’ passed a three year viral field study conducted by the Foundation Plant Services Department at the University of California Davis. They have recently been released from quarantine after having passed all pertinent viral tests and are currently being held at a vineyard in California.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Below is a detailed botanical description of the distinct grape variety ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’:

-   VINE generally:     -   -   Size.—medium. Grapevine size as determined on grapevines             growing on a three wire vertical shoot positioned trellis             with the first wire (fruit zone) set 80 cm (31.25 inches)             above the ground; the second wire at 1.30 m (50.78 inches)             above the ground; and the third wire at 1.8 m (70.31 inches)             above the ground. The vine was trained to produce a             grapevine height of 1.6 m (62.99 inches) and a grapevine             spread of 36 cm (14.17 inches).         -   Vigor.—medium vigor. Vigor as measured by weighing prunings             at dormant pruning for cane pruned grapevines (with 12 canes             and an average of 11 buds per cane) was 0.870 Kg.         -   Productivity.—Productive. 1.3 Kg per grapevine as compared             to the average population grapevine which produces 1.55 Kg             per grapevine on grapevines spaced 4.1 ft. (125 cm) by 6.5             ft. (200 cm).         -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular. Annual pruning of canes is             required for reliable production. -   CANES size:     -   -   Diameter.—mature canes. — Medium diameter. medium vigor.             upright in growth habit. -   Mature canes:     -   -   Diameter.—internode base. — 7.7 mm (0.3 inches).         -   Diameter.—internode midpoint. — 6.9 mm (0.269 inches).         -   Diameter.—internode tip. — 3.5 mm (0.138 inches).         -   Diameter.—node base. — 9 mm (0.35 inches).         -   Diameter.—node midpoint. — 11.6 mm (0.453 inches).         -   Diameter.—node tip. — 6 mm (0.234 inches). -   Internode length:     -   -   Base.—5.4 cm (2.11 inches).         -   Midpoint.—6.8 cm (2.65 inches).         -   Tip.—7.2 cm (2.81 inches).         -   Average length of canes.—76 cm (29.92 inches).         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Color of mature cane.—Brown (Plate 11 H6). No anthocyanin             observed on mature canes. -   Buds:     -   -   Color.—Brown (Plate 13 I6).         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Dormant bud (compound bud or eye):     -   -   Width.—At base of cane 3.2 mm (0.125 inches); at midpoint of             cane 3.9 mm (0.152 inches) and at tip of cane 2.8 mm (0.109             inches). The average number of buds on a current.             single-season growth cane is 11.         -   Date of bud break.—October 7.— midseason.         -   Young shoots.—Surface texture. — smooth. Young shoots have             cobwebby indument.         -   Diameter of young shoots in spring (measured when shoots are             24 inches).—At base 5.6 mm (0.218 inches). at midpoint 4 mm             (0.156 inches) and at tip 2.8 mm ( 0.109 inches).         -   Internode length.—3.8 cm (1.48 inches) at 4 cm (1.575             inches) internode from base. -   Young shoots:     -   -   Color.—Pale green (Plate 18 L8). -   Stem of shoot tip:     -   -   Color.—Green (Plate 20 L6) with occasional red (Plate 6I4). -   Shoot:     -   -   Shape.—Straight to slightly curved. -   Shoot tip:     -   -   Form.—Open. -   Tendrils:     -   -   Size.—Length — 16 cm (6.25 inches).         -   Size.—Diameter — 1.4 mm (0.054 inches).         -   Shape.—Usually biforcated and curled on distal end.         -   Surface texture.—smooth.         -   Pattern.—Found beginning opposite node 6 and 7 then again at             nodes 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16 with this repeating intermittent             pattern to the distal end of the cane. -   Tendril:     -   -   Color immature growth.—Green (Plate 20 I6). -   Disease resistance: Susceptible to Odium and Downey & Powdery Mildew     and fungicides were applied to the grapevines under evaluation to     control them. -   Insect resistance: There has been no insect resistance detected     given that insects are very rare in Mendoza. -   LEAVES size:     -   -   Generally.—Leaves simple and alternate. The mid vein (L1) is             11.5 cm (4.492 inches) long. vein L2 is 8.8 cm ( 3.437             inches) long and vein L3 is 7.2 cm (2.81 inches) long. The             angle between the mid vein L1 and L3 is 60 degrees and             between L1 and the 1st vein off L3 is 151 degrees.         -   Average length.—15.9 cm (5.82 inches).         -   Average width.—13.7 cm (5.351 inches).         -   Shape.—Orbicular. -   Lobes:     -   -   Number.—five (5). three (3) without lobes. -   Color:     -   -   Upwardly disposed surface.—Dark green (Plate 23 I9). Upward             surface is glabrous. flat and smooth to slightly bullate.         -   Downwardly disposed surface.—Green (Plate 22 I6). Lower             surface has short hairs.         -   Leaf vein.—Light green (Plate 19 I6) with occasional red             (Plate 6 I4) on main veins near center of leaf.         -   Leaf vein.—thickness. — Thickness of mid vein at center of             leaf is 1.5 mm (0.058 inches).         -   Leaf margin.—Serrated with shape of teeth pointed and medium             in size (convex teeth).         -   Petiole sinus.—Half open and “V” shape. On mature leaf is             3.4 cm (1.328 inches) deep and 1.1 cm (0.429 inches) wide at             widest point. -   Anthocyanin:     -   -   Main veins.—location. — With occasional red on main veins             near center of leaf. -   Petiole:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—7.9 cm (3.08 inches).         -   Diameter.—2.5 mm (0.097 inches).         -   Surface texture.—smooth.         -   Color.—Green (Plate 20 L4) with occasional red (Plate 6 I4)             covering. -   Color:     -   -   Young leaf.—upper surface. — Pale green (Plate 21 L8) with             light copper (Plate 19 I6) and cobwebby indument on upper             surface.         -   Young leaf.—lower surface. — Pale green (Plate 22 L8).         -   Shape unfolded.—young leaf. — Concave to flat.         -   Petiole of young leaf.—color. — Medium green (Plate 21 L7).         -   Stipules.—Green (Plate 21 L8). -   Trunk size: Large.     -   -   Height.—Approximately 75 cm (29.3 inches) above the vineyard             floor.         -   Diameter.—15.2 cm (5.937 inches) as measured just below the             cordon or head point at 40 cm (15.62 inches) above vineyard             floor. -   Flowers Flower:     -   -   Size.—generally. — Medium.         -   Unopened.—diameter. — 1.92 mm (0.075 inches).         -   Unopened.—length. — 1.65 mm (0.064 inches).         -   Unopened.—surface texture. — Smooth.         -   Date of bloom.—First bloom November 10.         -   Date of full bloom.—November 17 at 90%.         -   Inflorescence.—Panicle. -   Fragrance: No fragrance. -   Cluster size:     -   -   At bloom.—Generally. medium.         -   Cluster.—length. — 14.6 cm (5.703 inches).         -   Width.—13.4 cm (5.234 inches). -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—3.85 cm (1.503 inches).         -   Color.—Green (Plate 20 L8).         -   Shape of cluster.—Conical. -   Flower (calyptra):     -   -   Color.—Green (Plate 20 L8).         -   Stamens.—Five (5).         -   Pistil.—Well developed. -   Ovary:     -   -   Color.—Green (Plate 20 L8).         -   Pollen.—Normal. fertile. abundant. -   Anthers:     -   -   Color.—Straw (Plate 10 G2). -   Fruit: -   Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment     approximately March 10 in Mendoza. Argentina. -   Cluster (bunch):     -   -   Size.—cane pruned vines. — 69.42 grams (2.44 oz).         -   Length.—16.32 cm (6.42 inches).         -   Width.—14.5 cm (5.66 inches).         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Density.—Loose. on average has 65.7 berries per cluster.         -   Clusters per vine.—18.5.         -   Clusters per shoot.—1.4 clusters per shoot. -   Peduncle: -   Size:     -   -   Length.—Medium. 3.85 cm (1.503 inches).         -   Diameter.—Medium. 4.5 mm (0.175 inches).         -   Color.—Green (plate 20 K6).         -   Texture.—Smooth. glabrous. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Generally.—There is a medium to good attachment between the             berry and the pedicel.         -   Size.—length. — 5.25 mm (0.205 inches).         -   Size.—diameter. — 0.8 mm (0.031 inches).         -   Color.—Green (Plate 20 H7).         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Brush:     -   -   Length.—2.2 mm (0.085 inches).         -   Brush color.—Green (Plate 20 D2). -   Berry:     -   -   Size.—Medium. avg. 1.06 grams (0.034 oz).         -   Shape.—spherical 1.25 cm (0.488 inches) long and 0.99 cm             (0.386 inches) wide.         -   Number of seeds per berry.—4 seeds.         -   Color.—Raspberry red (Plate 6 I15).         -   Bloom.—Light. -   Skin: Generally.     -   -   Color.—Deep purple (Plate 6 C6).         -   Thickness.—Medium in thickness.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Tendency to crack.—None. -   Flesh:     -   -   Flesh color.—Translucent pale green (Plate 18 B1).         -   Texture.—Firm. meaty.         -   Juice production.—High Color of juice. — Clear (Plate 19             B1).         -   Flavor.—Sweet — low acid flavor.         -   Soluble solids.—24.05%.         -   Titratable acid.—5.14 g/L ml juice.         -   Aroma.—None.         -   Ripening.—Uniform. -   Character of seeds: Complete seeds. Seed color is Brown (Plate 7     C10). -   Use: wine. -   Resistance to disease: No resistance to Downey & Powdery Mildew or     Odium.

Below are comparative tables (Table 1 and 2) and figures (FIGS. 1 to 4) to demonstrate the differences found in the selected Malbec grape varieties.

Table 1 reveals different physiological characteristics between ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ and the other 4 selected Malbec grape varieties (Clones 13 to 14, and 16 to 17) as well as the overall population.

TABLE 1 Clone Clone Clone Clone Clone Popula- 13 14 15 16 17 ation Potential 4.2 6.2 3.6 4.1 5.3 3.62 Foliage Sur- face Area m2 No. Shoots 14.3 12.6 12.8 12.8 114.2 12.6 Avg. Shoot 123.0 152.1 76.0 138.4 141.4 94.3 Length (cm) Pruned 1144.0 919.8 870.4 978.1 1202.3 917.4 Material Weight m/g Exposed Sur- 1.64 1.74 1.42 1.53 1.72 0.98 face Area/ Production No. of Leaf 3.6 2.5 2.6 2.9 3.3 2.7 Layers

The Malbec grapevine plant has a tendency for shot berries causing problems with homogeneity and cluster ripening. Homogeneity is a key factor for quality. FIG. 1 depicts differences in millendrage between ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ and the other 4 selected Malbec grape varieties (Clones 13 to 14, and 16 to 17) as well as the overall population.

In addition, Table 2 shows some of the physiological characteristics and individuality of the ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ variety, when compared to the other selected Malbec grape varieties (Clones 13 to 14, and 16 to 17) and to the overall Malbec grapevine population.

TABLE 2 Cluster Cluster Total Berry No. of Berry Compact Clone Length Weight Weight Berries Weight Index 13 15.29 cm 113.54 gr 110.11 gr 101.1 1.09 gr 0.15 14 16.84 cm 128.9 gr 97.76 gr 97 1.01 gr 0.17 15 16.32 cm 69.42 gr 69.75 gr 65.7 1.06 gr 0.25 16 14.63 cm 119 gr 88 gr 89 0.99 gr 0.16 17  8.32 cm 47.5 gr 37.8 gr 34.2 1.11 gr 0.24 Population 18.23 cm 91.68 gr 85.06 83.11 1.02 0.22

The individuality of the Malbec grape variety ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ was also measured in terms of its chemical profile when compared to other selected Malbec grape varieties (Clones 13 to 14, and 16 to 17) and the overall Malbec grapevine population. Total polyphenols are shown in FIG. 2. Total tannins are graphed in FIG. 3.

The ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ was also measured in terms of its aroma and flavor profile when compared to the other selected Malbec grape varieties (Clones 13 to 14, and 16 to 17) and the overall Malbec grapevine population. The results are shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the vine with fruit from grape variety ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’. 

1. A novel and distinct variety of Malbec grapevine herein denominated ‘Catena Malbec Clone 15’ having the characteristics described and illustrated herein. 